Letters to the editor for Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Tuesday

Apr 16, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Regarding the Rutgers basketball coach: Do we need the unceasing media coverage? Dr. Kermit Gosnell is in the midst of a murder trial in Philadelphia where he is accused of seven counts of murder; six born-alive babies killed during abortions and a woman who died during a procedure and yet no coverage from the media outlets.

Regarding the Rutgers basketball coach: Do we need the unceasing media coverage? Dr. Kermit Gosnell is in the midst of a murder trial in Philadelphia where he is accused of seven counts of murder; six born-alive babies killed during abortions and a woman who died during a procedure and yet no coverage from the media outlets.

A lobbyist for Planned Parenthood-Florida, testifying against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, said that should a living baby survive an abortion, the decision should be between the doctor and the mother to save the baby. Media outlets are frenzied in their support of gun control in the aftermath of Newtown; what about these infants?

Even those who are pro-abortion would draw the line, if informed. What makes the Rutgers incident more important than the lives of seven people? Is it that the coach yelled gay slurs at the players? While offensive, let's get our priorities in order.

Is the media being used to advance a certain agenda and silence the other side, like those who are for traditional marriage? Many who believe in these values are those who walk the walk helping all people regardless of differences of opinion, not just talking about it.

Joe Ditizio

Thompson Ridge

While the Newburgh School District struggles to close its budget gap by shutting one of three elementary schools, let's not confuse the issue with outdated notions from years gone by.

The Balmville Communications and Media Center is not a refuge for plutocrats, as one writer recently implied. Its history as one of the district's top performing schools goes hand in hand with the diversity of its students.

In 2013, more than 70 percent of Balmville's students are nonwhite. Let's hope that the school board finds the solution that will give students the best chance of success and a brighter future.

Denis Riley

Newburgh

In his State of the State address, Gov. Cuomo announced his support for a bill called the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which he is making part of the Women's Equality Act (WEA). The Archdiocese of NY approves of the WEA but without the RHA.

Our governor is not satisfied with the death of 110,000 unborn babies a year and states this bill will give women more "freedom," when in fact it kills more babies and scars the guilt-ridden mothers for life.

This is an extreme bill, and it would greatly expand abortion in New York state. It would declare abortion a "fundamental right," and would ensure that abortion is legal through all nine months of pregnancy, for any reason. It would prevent any reasonable regulation such as parental notification or informed consent requirements or bans on partial-birth abortions.

It would endanger women by allowing nondoctors to perform abortions. It could threaten the religious liberty of Catholic and other religious hospitals and their health-care workers by requiring them to cooperate in abortions. Enough is enough. Act now. Call the governor's office and pray for the end of abortion.